There was an article in Saturday's Tribune about the proposed baseball and softball complex. This "Field of Dreams" as it is called would be built behind Home Depot and cost $10 million dollars.
I must agree with Councilmen Messer and Price that this is not a high priority. Yes our children need such a facility but this need is not urgent, I consider it more of a want.
Want we need to do is get off of our collective behinds and build a youth shelter. Our children are living in conditions that I'm sure none of us would want to live in. They are there because conditions at home are even worse!
These are our (Floyd County) children also. And although they may benefit from the "Field of Dreams" also, they need a decent place to live first. I cannot understand why they are made to wait. A new home for our kids would cost a lot less than 10 million, and this is a high priority.
Please, New Albany and Floyd County, won't you work together and make this happen?
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
SORRY, I DIDN'T MAKE IT
Unfortunately, I was not able to attend the council meeting last night.
Will anyone who was there please give us the scoop?
thanks,
Shirley
Will anyone who was there please give us the scoop?
thanks,
Shirley
Thursday, December 3, 2009
HELP IS ON THE WAY
The meeting with the victims of the August 4, 2009 flood was held last night at the Library to a fairly thin but enthusiastic crowd.
At the very beginning it was stressed that the city could only help city residents, not Floyd County or fringe residents. Mr. Coffey suggested that residents who fall into this category speak to the County Commissioners. He also added that their would be no discussion about the long term solution for fixing the sewers and drainage systems. The council and administration were there to help the immediate need of the city residents.
Shane Gibson, City Attorney, was also present and stressed that Tort Claims need to be filed immediately to be considered for help. He, the mayor, and the council are optimistically hoping to resolve this before Christmas or at least by the first of the year.
At the very beginning it was stressed that the city could only help city residents, not Floyd County or fringe residents. Mr. Coffey suggested that residents who fall into this category speak to the County Commissioners. He also added that their would be no discussion about the long term solution for fixing the sewers and drainage systems. The council and administration were there to help the immediate need of the city residents.
Shane Gibson, City Attorney, was also present and stressed that Tort Claims need to be filed immediately to be considered for help. He, the mayor, and the council are optimistically hoping to resolve this before Christmas or at least by the first of the year.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
SAVE OUR HISTORICAL SITES
As promised, I attended the first meeting of a new group which is unnamed at present. We had a good crowd to start with, several people who are active in the community. The facilitator was Steve Pacciano, and he is very knowledgeable on the history of Indiana, Floyd County in particular.
Other attendees included, Rep. Ed Clere, Greg Sekula of 1 So. In., David Barksdale, County Historian, Carol Tobe, Save Our Knobs, Judy Martin & Laura Reynolds of Historic Landmarks, Vic McGinity of F.C.Historicl Society, Don Lopp, and Adam Dickey, Baron Hill's Representative. There were others also but these people were singled out by Steve.
The main focus tonight was to establish that a separate entity is needed for preservation. The group listed nearly 20 organizations already involved with preservation in one way or another. But none of these groups really fit the bill as an education resource or watchdog. So it was decided that a new non-profit organization is needed.
A committee of five people, sorry I did not get all of their names, will write the mission statement and report back to the rest of us on Feburary 2, 2010. Please save that date because we want to get more people involved. New Albany has already lost many historical sites and we need to keep the ones we still have.
Again, the next meeting will be Feb. 2, 2010 at 7:00PM at the Cardinal Ritter Home. See you there.
Other attendees included, Rep. Ed Clere, Greg Sekula of 1 So. In., David Barksdale, County Historian, Carol Tobe, Save Our Knobs, Judy Martin & Laura Reynolds of Historic Landmarks, Vic McGinity of F.C.Historicl Society, Don Lopp, and Adam Dickey, Baron Hill's Representative. There were others also but these people were singled out by Steve.
The main focus tonight was to establish that a separate entity is needed for preservation. The group listed nearly 20 organizations already involved with preservation in one way or another. But none of these groups really fit the bill as an education resource or watchdog. So it was decided that a new non-profit organization is needed.
A committee of five people, sorry I did not get all of their names, will write the mission statement and report back to the rest of us on Feburary 2, 2010. Please save that date because we want to get more people involved. New Albany has already lost many historical sites and we need to keep the ones we still have.
Again, the next meeting will be Feb. 2, 2010 at 7:00PM at the Cardinal Ritter Home. See you there.
Friday, November 27, 2009
NO BLACK FRIDAY FOR ME
I hope everyone is having a good day off. Unlike John Gonder this shopper is staying home. We had two wonderful Thanksgiving Dinners yesterday and I didn't have to cook either one, just made about a dozen pies.
Happy Post Thanksgiving everyone, be safe if you are out there fighting the crowds. And happy bargain hunting.
Happy Post Thanksgiving everyone, be safe if you are out there fighting the crowds. And happy bargain hunting.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
HAPPY THANKSGIVING
I just want to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
If you are on the road, please be careful.
If you have enough to eat, please remember those who don't.
And most of all, please remember our troops who are spending Thanksgiving in a far away country and are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their families and friends.
If you are on the road, please be careful.
If you have enough to eat, please remember those who don't.
And most of all, please remember our troops who are spending Thanksgiving in a far away country and are not able to spend Thanksgiving with their families and friends.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
THURSDAY'S COUNCIL MEETING
There was a packed house Thursday night for the city council meeting. There were even three former council members in attendance.
The meeting started off with comments from the public of which there were several. It started off with Mark Cassidy who surprised everyone, including himself, by supporting Mr. Price in the resolution to rescind health insurance benefits for council members. I echoed his words when my turn came, all to no avail as we all know. Thankfully I heard that the cost of living bonuses will be given to the non-bargaining employees of the city. That was my other topic.
Richard Berryman was next and was happy to report that the city cleaned up the mess they made in front of his house when a garbage truck leaked. His main topic was FEMA's decision to deny the flood victim's claims. Mr. Coffey explained that New Albany was included with the rest of the county which did not have as much damage. Doesn't seem fair.
Next up was Vicki Denhart who used her five minutes wisely and covered several different items. She stated that the nearly $44,000 fee for health care should not be given to a select few but rather spread among the rest of the council. She also said that Mr. Malysz and Mr. Rosenbarger had written grants in the past and with their large salaries should be required to do so in the future and thus eliminate the need for a grant writer. She also went on to speak about the lack of accountability and lack of leadership in the city, she ended with the words "We're in trouble".
Jason Hublar also spoke about the Tort claims being denied. He said the reason given was that the city was unaware of the flood problems before the big flood according to the insurance company, Midwest. He added that he and others had made the city aware of these problems two years ago.
Scott Thomas and Bob Lind spoke against the moratorium on building permits. Mr. Gonder changed the agenda to include just the first reading so the Ordinance can be changed again.
Ray Ballew spoke out about the healthcare rescinding resolution. He said the three part time employees are all business people who should be able to afford their own insurance, he also thanked Mr. Price for writing the resolution.
The last citizen was Debbie Pellman (sp?) who wants our tax dollars to help the flood victims. She asked that citizens be put first for once.
Mr. Malysz handed out a memo from the Mayor to the council (I just happen to have a copy).
It is regarding recent England Administration accomplishments. They include:
ARRA Stimulus Funding $1,515,000
Mt. Tabor Road Design $482,750 contract 80% Federal also C-town to G-Line Rds.
Ohio River Greenway City $350,000 (from TIF) the Corps of Engineers $350,000
Additonal $3.2 million ARRA Stimulus funding from Corps of Engineers, New Albany will need to match this funding by June 2010 or the Corps will lose it.
The SEJ/East Spring Neighborhoods NSP Project - the $6.7 million grant to improve 40 properties, an additional 10-12 houses will be constructed.
The city is also in the process of selling the Baptist Tabernacle and Shrader Stables.
All of this happened between 7:30 and 9:00 Thursday night. There is so much good news but still so much bad news also. There is a light at the end of this tunnel but we have a long way to go to get there. I just wish someone could wave magic wand and create good jobs for our citizens so we could pay our bills and not worry about losing our homes. Those 40 houses will be sold to people with lower to moderate incomes but people need to have an income to buy them. Let's hope and pray that something happens soon.
The meeting started off with comments from the public of which there were several. It started off with Mark Cassidy who surprised everyone, including himself, by supporting Mr. Price in the resolution to rescind health insurance benefits for council members. I echoed his words when my turn came, all to no avail as we all know. Thankfully I heard that the cost of living bonuses will be given to the non-bargaining employees of the city. That was my other topic.
Richard Berryman was next and was happy to report that the city cleaned up the mess they made in front of his house when a garbage truck leaked. His main topic was FEMA's decision to deny the flood victim's claims. Mr. Coffey explained that New Albany was included with the rest of the county which did not have as much damage. Doesn't seem fair.
Next up was Vicki Denhart who used her five minutes wisely and covered several different items. She stated that the nearly $44,000 fee for health care should not be given to a select few but rather spread among the rest of the council. She also said that Mr. Malysz and Mr. Rosenbarger had written grants in the past and with their large salaries should be required to do so in the future and thus eliminate the need for a grant writer. She also went on to speak about the lack of accountability and lack of leadership in the city, she ended with the words "We're in trouble".
Jason Hublar also spoke about the Tort claims being denied. He said the reason given was that the city was unaware of the flood problems before the big flood according to the insurance company, Midwest. He added that he and others had made the city aware of these problems two years ago.
Scott Thomas and Bob Lind spoke against the moratorium on building permits. Mr. Gonder changed the agenda to include just the first reading so the Ordinance can be changed again.
Ray Ballew spoke out about the healthcare rescinding resolution. He said the three part time employees are all business people who should be able to afford their own insurance, he also thanked Mr. Price for writing the resolution.
The last citizen was Debbie Pellman (sp?) who wants our tax dollars to help the flood victims. She asked that citizens be put first for once.
Mr. Malysz handed out a memo from the Mayor to the council (I just happen to have a copy).
It is regarding recent England Administration accomplishments. They include:
ARRA Stimulus Funding $1,515,000
- Spring St. signals
- Market St. signals
- Hausfeld Lane/CSX RR crossing
- State St. pavement (Green Valley Rd to I-265)
Mt. Tabor Road Design $482,750 contract 80% Federal also C-town to G-Line Rds.
Ohio River Greenway City $350,000 (from TIF) the Corps of Engineers $350,000
Additonal $3.2 million ARRA Stimulus funding from Corps of Engineers, New Albany will need to match this funding by June 2010 or the Corps will lose it.
The SEJ/East Spring Neighborhoods NSP Project - the $6.7 million grant to improve 40 properties, an additional 10-12 houses will be constructed.
The city is also in the process of selling the Baptist Tabernacle and Shrader Stables.
All of this happened between 7:30 and 9:00 Thursday night. There is so much good news but still so much bad news also. There is a light at the end of this tunnel but we have a long way to go to get there. I just wish someone could wave magic wand and create good jobs for our citizens so we could pay our bills and not worry about losing our homes. Those 40 houses will be sold to people with lower to moderate incomes but people need to have an income to buy them. Let's hope and pray that something happens soon.
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